Portable desktop video magnifier camera

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera with both storage and deployed configurations. In the storage configuration, the entire assembly can be carried via an associated handle. The camera is designed to rest on a desktop, or other planar surface, in the deployed configuration. When deployed, a housing and camera arm are positioned in a cantilevered arrangement over top of an object to be viewed. A camera housing, with an associated camera, is pivotally connected to the camera arm and is positioned over the object upon the camera being placed into a deployed configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,application Ser. No. 14/830,576, filed on Aug. 19, 2015, entitled“Portable Desktop Video Magnifier Camera,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,348,942,issued Jul. 9, 2019, which in turn claims priority to U.S. ApplicationSer. No. 62/039,261, filed Aug. 19, 2014, and entitled “Portable DesktopVideo Magnifier Camera,” the contents of which are fully incorporatedherein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a video magnifier. More particularly, thepresent disclosure relates to a desktop video magnifier that isportable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video magnifiers are important tools for blind and/or low vision (“BLV”)users. These devices allow BLV users to view objects and/or text bypositioning an associated camera and selecting a desired level ofmagnification. Color contrasting and image rotation can also be providedto ease viewing. Video magnifiers typically include a camera and anassociated monitor. The camera is often mounted on an arm that can bepositioned over the object to be viewed. A separate controller can beused to change: magnification level; the position of the image upon thescreen; contrast; as well as other image features.

Video magnifiers have typically been designed to permanently reside on atable or desktop. An example of a desktop magnification system isillustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 7,825,949 to Trulaske. Trulaske illustratesa closed circuit video magnification system. The system incorporates abase upon which the operating components of the system are mounted. Thesystem also includes a platform that is shiftable both laterally anddepth-wide for viewing the matter to be scanned. A camera is mountedupon arms over the table. Although Trulaske is beneficial for viewingobjects place upon the platform, it suffers from a lack oftransportability. Namely, Trulaske includes many moving parts and cannotbe efficiently folded for transport or storage.

The portability of video magnifiers has often proved problematic. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 7,336,295 to Sukenari discloses a video magnifierhaving a rectangular display screen. A camera holder is detachablyattached to a mounting section. A tilting mechanism is included forinclining the monitor. However, Sukenari, as with most other portablemagnifiers, must be at least partially or totally disassembled forstorage and transport. Even for sighted users, this is far from an idealsolution. It is an especially problematic solution for BLV users, whooften times cannot carry out the disassembly/assembly process. Effortshave been made over the years to provide truly portable videomagnifiers. However, many portable magnifier cameras are designed to behandheld, which can be problematic in the event the user needs bothhands free while viewing the object.

What is needed, therefore, is a desktop video magnifier that istransportable with stored and deployed configurations and that employs acamera at a fixed location over the object plane. The video magnifier ofthe present disclosure is designed to fulfill these and othershortcomings present with existing video magnifiers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure provides a desktop video magnifier that is portable withboth a storage and a deployed configuration.

The disclosed system has several important advantages. For example, thevideo magnifier uses a camera at a fixed location over an object plane.

Another advantage is realized by providing a video magnifier thatalthough designed for desktop use is readily transportable by blindand/or low vision users.

A further possible advantage is achieved by employing a camera arm thathas collapsed and extended orientations.

Still yet another possible advantage is achieved by providing a carryinghandle for a desktop video magnifier.

Various embodiments of the invention may have none, some, or all ofthese advantages. Other technical advantages of the present inventionwill be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the magnifier in the storageconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magnifier camera in the deployedconfiguration.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the camera in the deployedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the camera in the deployedconfiguration with the monitor in an elevated position.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the camera in the deployedconfiguration with the monitor in a non-elevated position.

FIGS. 6a-d illustrate how the magnifier can be folded from the deployedto the stored configuration.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

PARTS LIST

10 Camera Assembly 20 Base 22 Hinges 30 Housing 32 Power Cord/Inlet 34Illumination Panel 40 Monitor Arm 52 Camera Arm 54 Camera 60 Monitor 62Control Knobs 64 Control Buttons 66 Self-View Camera 68 Shudder forSelf-View Camera H Handle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure relates to a magnifier camera. The camera hasboth storage and deployed configurations. In the storage configuration,the entire assembly can be carried via an associated handle. The camerais designed to rest on a desktop, or other planar surface, in thedeployed configuration. When deployed, a monitor arm is positioned in acantilevered arrangement over top of an object to be viewed. A camerahousing, with an associated camera, is pivotally connected to themonitor arm. The camera can be positioned over the object to be viewedwhen in the deployed configuration. The various features of the presentdisclosure, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described ingreater detail hereinafter.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera assembly 10 isillustrated in the storage configuration. In this configuration, theassembly can be easily carried or stored by the user. Assembly 10broadly includes a base 20, a housing 30, a monitor arm 40, a camera arm52 (FIG. 4), and a monitor 60. These elements are pivotally connected toone another. This allows assembly 10 to be easily converted from thestorage configuration (FIG. 1) to the deployed configuration (FIG. 2).

Base 20 includes a set of hinges 22 for pivotally interconnectinghousing 30. Housing 30 forms the cover for magnifier 10 when in itsstowed orientation. Housing 30 further includes an interior compartmentfor accepting monitor arm 40 and monitor 60 when magnifier 10 is stowed.Housing 30 includes end caps for retaining the opposing portions ofhousing 30 and for enclosing associated fasteners. End caps can alsohouse counter balancing springs, which are engaged upon raising orlowering housing 30. Hinges 22 each include two distinct detentpositions. The first detent position corresponds to housing 30 being infacing relation to base 20. Second detent position corresponds tohousing 30 being at approximately a 45° to a 50° angle with respect tobase 20. This corresponds to the deployed configuration. Base 20 alsooperates as a stand to allow camera 10 to rest upon a desk or othersurface. It further function as a support for the object being viewed.

Objects being viewed are illuminated via an illumination panel 34positioned on the inside of housing 30. Panel 34 is preferably formed bytwo rows of aligned LEDs, with each row being positioned at an oppositeside of panel 34. Panel 34 itself includes one of more sheets of areflective material to reflect and dissipate the light generated by theLEDs. The result is an LCD-type panel 34 that generates a uniform amountof light for the object being viewed. The entire assembly 10, includingpanel 34, can be powered via an external power supply via a DC powerjack or inlet 32 within housing 30. Power jack 32 can also be used tocharge a rechargeable battery, such as a Lithium Ion battery. Battery ispreferably positioned within the lower extent of housing 30.

Housing 30 is pivotally connected to a U-shaped monitor arm 40. U-shapedarm 40 includes first and second ends; the first end pivotally connectsto housing 30, while the opposite end pivotally connects to the backside of monitor 60. This allows monitor 60 to be fully articulated withrespect to arm 40. The U-shaped nature of the arm 40 creates a space foraccepting camera housing 52. A variety of different monitor sizes can besupported by arm 40. For example, a 10″, 12″ or even 15″ inch monitorcan be supported depending upon the anticipated use of assembly 10.

Monitor 60 includes a lower bezel or control panel with both a number ofrotatable control knobs 62 and a number of push buttons 64. In thedepicted embodiment, there are a series of three control buttons 64 a,64 b, and 64 c and three control knobs 62 a, 62 b, 62 c (FIG. 3). By wayof non-limiting example, the 64 a is an advance feature button. Whenused with other controls, this button permits the user to performadvanced features. 62 a is a brightness dial, which can be rotatedclockwise or counter clockwise to increase or decrease the brightness ofmonitor 60. Push button 64 b is a free frame button. Depressing this onefreezes the image on monitor 60. Depressing button 64 b a second timereturn to a live image. Button 64 b can be held down along with advancefeature button 64 a in order to save images to a memory card, such as aSecure Digital card (or an SD card). An SD card slot is included alongthe periphery of monitor 60. Dial 62 b allows the user to increase anddecrease the magnification of the displayed image. Button 64 c is a findbutton. Depressing and holding find button 64 c reduces themagnification level so that the entire image can be viewed. It alsoplaces cross hairs over the center of the enlarged portion of the imageso that the enlarged image can be viewed in context. This gives the usera better understanding of where the enlarged image is located. Dial 62 cis a color mode dial that can be rotated to cycle through various colormodes.

Monitor 60 may likewise include a self-view camera 66, which wouldpreferably be included along the top of the bezel. Camera 66 would allowthe user to view themselves or for video messaging. Camera 66 allows theuser to view enlarged images of themselves. Magnification levels of 2.5×and greater can be supported. A manual shudder 68 can be included toaddress privacy concerns and prevent camera 66 from viewing the user.Camera 66 can be configured such that it is operable when shudder 68 isopened and inoperable when shudder 68 is closed.

Magnifier assembly 10 may optionally include a USB port to allow thedevice to be coupled to an external computer. This may be desirable, forexample, if magnifier 10 is to be used for on-screen measurements or foroptical character recognition. Coupling magnifier 10 to an externalcomputer also allows for captured images to be stored and processed bythe external computer. Assembly 10 may also optionally include a Wi-Ficonnection and video compression to allow streaming videos to be viewedby monitor 60.

When in the storage configuration (FIG. 1), housing 30 overlies monitor60, thereby protecting the associated screen. The entire assembly canalso be carried via handle H (FIG. 3), which is positioned along oneside of the assembly 10. The deployed configuration is achieved bypivoting housing 30 upwardly until the detent is engaged (approximately45° angle relative to the base). The monitor arm 40 is then pivoted upto the position depicted in FIG. 5. Importantly, camera arm 52 rotatesalong with the monitor arm 40 via an included spring. However, a stop isincluded such that camera arm 52 stops rotating when camera arm 52 isparallel with the base 20. In other words, camera arm 52 cannot rotatepast a horizontal orientation. The monitor arm 40 can continue itsrotation to the position depicted in FIG. 4 after camera arm 52 stopsits rotation. This arrangement ensures that camera 54 is alwaysperpendicular to the underlying object plane. This eliminates the“keystoning” effect that would otherwise occur if the camera wereorientated at an angle.

The sequence for collapsing the assembly is depicted in FIGS. 6a-6c . Asillustrated, the user begins the process by manipulating monitor 60.Namely, monitor 60 and monitor arm 40 are pivoted downwardly to engagecamera arm (or housing) 52 (note FIG. 6a ). Next, as illustrated in FIG.6b , camera arm 52, monitor arm 40, and monitor 60 are rotated togetherto fit within the underside of housing 30. In this orientation, the faceof monitor 60 is facing away from housing 30. Thereafter, as noted inFIG. 6c , housing 30 is rotated into facing relation with base 20. Thefinal collapsed configuration is illustrated in FIG. 6d . Arm 40 andhousing 30 can include internal magnets, or similar sensors, wherebyassembly 10 is automatically powered on when in the deployedconfiguration and automatically powered down when in the collapsedconfiguration. Notably, in the collapsed configuration, monitor screen60 is in facing relationship with, and protected by, base 20.

Thus, magnifier camera 10 has a stowed orientation (FIG. 6d ) whereinmonitor arm 40 and monitor 60 are folded into the compartment of thehousing 30 and housing 30 is pivoted into facing relationship with base20. Magnifier camera 10 also has a deployed orientation wherein base 20,housing 30, monitor arm 40, and monitor 60 are all angled with respectto one another (FIG. 4).

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments and generally associated methods, alterations andpermutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of exampleembodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnifier device for allowing a user to viewenlarged images of an object, the magnifier device comprising: a baseadapted to support the magnifier device and the object to be viewed; ahousing pivotally connected to the base; a monitor for displaying imagesof the object; a monitor arm having a first end pivotally connected tothe housing and a second end pivotally connected to the monitor; acamera pivotally connected to the magnifier device by way of a cameraarm; the magnifier device having a deployed orientation wherein thehousing and monitor arm form an obtuse angle and the monitor is spacedfrom the base, the magnifier device further including a self-vieworientation wherein the housing and monitor arm form an acute angle andthe monitor is positioned adjacent to the base; a stop associated withthe camera arm and functioning to prevent the camera arm from rotatingpast a horizontal orientation as the magnifier device is placed in thedeployed orientation; wherein the housing has an interior compartment,the magnifier device having a stowed orientation wherein the camera armis positioned within and contacts the interior compartment and themonitor arm contacts and is within the interior compartment, and whereinthe monitor contacts and is in facing relation to the base.
 2. Themagnifier device as described in claim 1 wherein the monitor arm isU-shaped, and wherein the camera has a first orientation wherein thecamera is disposed within an interior area of the housing and a secondorientation wherein the camera arm is at an angle relative to themonitor arm.
 3. The magnifier device as described in claim 1 wherein thehousing includes an internal area, a lighting panel positioned withinthe internal area.
 4. The magnifier camera as described in claim 3wherein the lighting panel includes a sheet of reflective material andadjacent rows of light emitting diodes.
 5. The magnifier device asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the monitor further includes a lower bezelwith a series of control knobs, the control knobs functioning toselectively vary brightness, magnification, and color contrast.
 6. Amagnifier device comprising: a base adapted to support the magnifierdevice; a housing pivotally connected to the base, the housing having aback wall and an interior compartment; a monitor including upper andlower edges and an intermediate extent therebetween; a monitor armhaving a first end pivotally connected to the housing and a second endpivotally connected to the intermediate extent of the monitor, themonitor arm including an interior area; a camera pivotally connected tothe magnifier device by way of a camera arm; the magnifier device havinga stowed orientation wherein the camera arm is positioned within andcontacts the interior area and the monitor arm contacts and is withinthe interior compartment, and wherein the monitor contacts and is infacing relation to the base, the magnifier device also having a deployedorientation wherein the housing and monitor arm form an obtuse angle andthe monitor is spaced from the base.
 7. The magnifier device asdescribed in claim 6 further comprising an additional camera positionedwithin the upper edge of the monitor.
 8. The magnifier device asdescribed in claim 6 wherein the magnifier device further includes aself-view orientation wherein the housing and monitor arm form an acuteangle and the monitor is positioned adjacent to the base.